Graduation Semester and Year

Summer 2024

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Dr. Sharon Blackerby

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: This guideline project focused on creating a screening guideline for T. vaginalis that would benefit healthcare providers in a correctional healthcare setting for incarcerated females entering the facility.

Methods: A literature review was conducted. The PubMed and MEDLINE search engines, were used to obtain medical, biomedical and life sciences literature, and CINAHL for nursing and allied health resources, Governmental agency sites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were also explored. Guideline recommendations were extrapolated from the literature review, and then rated by, stakeholders.

Results: Several overarching themes were identified. Screening of asymptomatic women for T. vaginalis is appropriate in settings such as sexual health services in geographical areas of high prevalence and for women with associated risk factors. All females arriving through the inmate reception center in a correctional facility should be tested. An opt-out testing strategy can decrease the prevalence of T. vaginalis by increasing overall testing while maintaining inmates’ right to refuse the test. Pair testing for T. vaginalis is to be implemented as an adjunctive method to current screening efforts for Chlamydia/Gonorrhea. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NATT) are the preferred screening method for T. vaginalis. Based on statistical computations, the stakeholders agreed on screening recommendations.

Conclusion: Effective screening of incarcerated females entering correctional healthcare settings is cost-effective and improves inmate patient health. Early detection of T. vaginalis during can prevent transmission in custody and the general population, improving population health.

Keywords

Trichomonas vaginalis screening, Sexually transmitted disease/infection, Incarceration, Jail, Correctional, Opt-out, Testing, Screening guideline

Disciplines

Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Infectious Disease | Interprofessional Education | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Parasitic Diseases

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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